Dunkin’ Donuts Sign Brews Controversy

PALMYRA TOWNSHIP — A phrase on a Dunkin’ Donuts sign in the Poconos is drawing all kinds of attention.

It said “Buy Donuts or God Will Kill a Kitten.”

It’s causing some people to do a double take to see if they read it right, including one woman who took a picture to prove it.

The sign at a Dunkin’ Donuts near Hawley has since been taken down. But the woman who saw it says when Dunkin’ Donuts didn’t get back to her to explain themselves, she turned to Facebook to hear what others had to say.

“I was just appalled,” said Marissa.

A more appropriate message is now displayed. It reads, “Try Our New Dark Chocolate Mocha Beverages”. But Marissa can’t forget the old message.

“Probably everyone could tell it was a joke. But it was in poor taste and across the street from my kid’s school,” said Marissa.

Marissa says it was around 8:45 in the morning when she was driving along Route six when she noticed a very bizarre statement on the Dunkin’ Donuts sign.

At first, she thought she was seeing something. But she had to take a closer look and decided to pull off to the side of the road.

“Then on impulse, I took a picture of the sign because I was that upset,” said Marissa.

Marissa then immediately called Dunkin Donut’s corporation.

But didn’t hear back from them for eight hours.

So in that time, Marissa took action and posted the picture she took on Facebook.

“I was looking for any other opinions as to what my friends thought, if they had seen that sign that morning,” Marissa said.

Dunkin’ Donuts gave Newswatch 16 this statement: “We are aware that a crew member of the Dunkin’ Donuts in Hawley inappropriately altered the signage in front of the restaurant without the franchise owner’s knowledge. As soon as the franchise was made aware, the signage was immediately removed and the crew member has been placed on suspension pending an investigation”.

Dunkin’ Donuts eventually called Marissa back and apologized, telling her the sign was taken down within minutes after it was put up.

Marissa says she also believes it wasn’t the franchise owner’s fault, but it still was very upsetting to see.